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CARA Charities and IUPUI recently announced the first ever motorsports-specific scholarship for students in the IUPUI Motorsports Engineering Program.

The CARA Motorsports Scholarship will be available for traditional, full-time students that are admitted directly into the Motorsports Engineering Program in the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI.

Beginning in fall 2011, the motorsports engineering program will award two CARA scholarships each semester: a $1,000 scholarship to an in-state student and a $2,500 scholarship to an out-of-state student. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated commitment to community by volunteering for a charitable organization.

“CARA is pleased to invest in the future leaders of tomorrow’s racing industry,” said Cathie Lyon, executive director of CARA Charities, according to a press release announcing the scholarship program. “This scholarship is an excellent opportunity for us to support outstanding students who are passionate about motorsports and service. We look forward to working side-by-side with the IUPUI Motorsports Engineering Program to nurture a ‘value in community’ as the students develop academically and professionally.”

Founded in 1981 to promote auto racing through community projects, CARA Charities has donated more than $4 million dollars to dozens of philanthropic causes helping children, hospitals, scholarship funds, ministries and numerous charitable foundations.

In 2008, IUPUI became the first university in the United States to offer a bachelor’s degree in motorsports engineering. The new scholarship program is reflective of CARA’s and IUPUI’s mutual commitments to education, safety, and community engagement within the motorsports industry, says IUPUI Professor and Director of Motorsports Engineering Pete Hylton.

“We are absolutely thrilled about this new partnership with CARA Charities," Hylton said. "We’re not only excited about the opportunity to provide our students with more financial assistance in making their motorsports dreams come true, but also about CARA’s commitment to bettering the motorsports community. It speaks volumes to have their support and we look forward to their seeing our students join the organization in finding ways to use racing to give back to the community.”

University and CARA officials announced the new scholarship program during the IUPUI-sponsored Youth Safety Program, designed for 12-to-16-year-olds, at the International Motorsports Industry Show held Dec. 1-3, 2010, at the Indianapolis Convention Center. About 40 IUPUI student volunteers helped set up the industry show that included a technical seminar presentation by Andy Borme, IUPUI motorsports lecturer. The show’s main display of race cars included the IUPUI Formula SAE car.